Stem Cell Research Continues in Illinois

Stem cell research could lead to repairs to muscles damaged by vigorous exercise. The research, at the University of Illinois, is now being done on mice. The mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, are injected into the leg muscles of the mice prior to exercise. What's standing between this point and being able to use this on humans?

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“The No. 1 challenge in translating our work to humans,” says kinesiology and community health professor Marni Boppart, “is identifying a source that is readily accessible … from tissue that we may not necessarily depend on – primarily adipose tissue or fat tissue.”

The stem cells in question are from adults, not embryos, and naturally occur in the body.